Pivoting with Purpose: 4 Lessons from My Bounce House Era

At one point, I was fully convinced that white bounce houses were going to be the perfect addition to my business. They were everywhere—weddings, featured events in my favorite publications, social media trends. It felt like a no-brainer upsell or even a profitable standalone offer.

So, I went all in. Spent about $4,000 getting them designed and shipped, waited forever for overseas deliveries, and imagined all the dreamy event setups that would come from it.

And then reality hit.

It turns out, not every trend translates into a sustainable business move. Here’s what I learned (the hard way) from launching, and then pivoting away from, bounce house rentals:

1. Just Because It’s Trending Doesn’t Mean It Works for You

The bounce house trend looked like an easy, profitable offer, but it didn’t fit my business model. Unlike my other add-ons (which require booking a photobooth first), this was a standalone rental—meaning a whole new workflow, different clientele, and unexpected logistical headaches.

2. Logistics Can Make or Break a Service

The maintenance? A nightmare. White bounce houses get so dirty, and I had to rewrite contracts to ban face painting, require socks, and add an attendant. Then, kids started climbing the walls, which led to even bigger insurance concerns. It quickly became clear that this was way more work than I had anticipated.

3. If It’s Not Easy to Transport, It’s Not Worth It

At the time, my vehicle was too small for the bounce house, so my husband had to take time off work just to haul it for me. That alone should have been a dealbreaker. A service that requires outside help just to function? Not a long-term solution.

4. It’s Okay to Cut Your Losses & Pivot

I spent money. I spent time. And in the end, I realized it wasn’t for me. But that’s business! We used the bounce house for personal fun, and I now offer it as a pickup-only rental, which is way more manageable. The real win? Learning that pivoting isn’t failure—it’s smart business.

If you’re in a season of rethinking an offering, here’s your sign: It’s okay to move on. The money spent wasn’t wasted—it was a lesson learned.